In July, Romero Games, the esteemed studio co-founded by industry veterans Brenda and John Romero, faced a significant challenge when it announced the loss of funding for its anticipated shooter project. This announcement coincided with a wave of layoffs at Microsoft, affecting over 9,000 employees. In the wake of this unsettling news, Romero Games assured its community that it was “doing everything in our power to ensure” the studio’s survival, though uncertainty loomed over both the studio’s future and the status of its shooter development.
Resilience and Renewal
Fast forward to this week, during a panel at Spain’s Salón del Videojuego de Madrid 2025, John Romero shared encouraging news: Romero Games has successfully navigated the storm and is actively working on a reimagined shooter project. The panel discussion, which can be viewed in the embedded video below, showcased Romero’s insights into the studio’s journey and the creative direction of their new endeavor.
Salón del Videojuego de Madrid 2025 – Entrevista a John Romero por VictorDevelops – YouTube
Romero reflected on his experiences, drawing inspiration from the innovative landscapes of games like Elden Ring. “It was a really new experience,” he noted. “It was a very crazy place and a different world, and it was really cool to explore it and just see ‘What is that?’ That’s the idea behind what we’re doing in this game.” This sentiment captures the essence of Romero’s vision, hinting at a bold and imaginative direction for the studio’s upcoming project.
With a legacy of groundbreaking titles such as Doom, John Romero’s return to the shooter genre promises to deliver another revelatory experience. As the gaming community eagerly anticipates further developments, the journey of Romero Games continues to unfold, showcasing resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.
